The Parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37) stands out for its simplicity and concreteness, making its core message accessible even to a child, while also offering a profound and memorable lesson on practical moral principles. The narrative contrasts working compassion with selfishness, and love with hate, illustrating who our neighbor is and how we should respond to their needs. In the parable's introduction, Jesus asks a lawyer, using a term common among scribes, "What is your reading of it?" The lawyer responds with the necessity of loving God and neighbor, but then questions, "Who is my neighbor?" prompting Jesus to share this parable. The story reveals that a priest and a Levite, coming upon an injured man by chance on the dangerous road between Jerusalem and Jericho, pass by without helping, showing a habitual disregard for others' needs. Despite their high religious roles, the priest, who served God's law encouraging mercy, and the Levite, a Temple servant and interpreter of the law, fail to act with compassion, ignoring the intent of God's instruction. In contrast, a Samaritan, despised by Jews as inferior, is moved with deep compassion, intervenes to help the beaten traveler, and goes beyond duty to ensure the man's recovery, acting from the true character of his heart. Following the parable, Jesus encourages the lawyer to "go and do likewise," teaching that we should help the needy without regard for their identity or relationship to us. The Samaritan proves himself a neighbor through unprejudiced mercy and compassion, showing that anyone we can affect, for good or ill, by our conduct is our neighbor, especially those in need of aid. The question shifts from "Who is my neighbor?" to "Are we neighborly?"—are we friendly, kind, helpful, considerate, caring, cooperative, amicable, merciful, and compassionate, loving our fellow human beings more than ourselves? Jesus Christ exemplifies the ultimate good neighbor, coming down to where sinners are, offering mercy, binding up wounds, and providing for both physical and spiritual needs.

In Luke 10:30-37, Jesus shares the Parable of the Good Samaritan to address the question of who is a neighbor. A man traveling from Jerusalem to Jericho was attacked by thieves, stripped, wounded, and left half dead. A priest and a Levite passed by without helping, but a Samaritan, moved with compassion, bandaged the man's wounds, poured on oil and wine, set him on his own animal, and brought him to an inn to care for him. The next day, the Samaritan paid the innkeeper two denarii, instructing him to continue caring for the man and promising to repay any additional costs upon his return. Jesus then asked which of the three was a neighbor to the wounded man, and the response was the one who showed mercy. Jesus concluded with the command to go and do likewise. Through this parable, He illustrates that being a neighbor is not limited by ancestry, skin color, language, wealth, or religious affiliation, but is defined by meeting the needs of others with genuine concern, as the Samaritan did for a total stranger.

The world today is driven by greed, hatred, and self-seeking, reflecting the way of get, rather than love. What the world truly needs is not the fleeting, worldly idea of love, but the true love of man reflected across all humanity, which alone can bring peace, harmony, joy, happiness, fulfillment, purpose, and brotherly love to this earth. We are called to embody and reflect this love in our interactions with each other and those around us, becoming the salt of the earth and the light of the world, imitating the very nature of the One who invited us into His Family. God's love, defined as agape, is a willful direction toward mankind, involving doing what He knows is best for us, not merely what we desire. This love is an outgoing concern for others, characterized by benevolence, kindness, sympathy, and generosity in our dealings. God's love operates on both an individual level with understanding and kindness, and on a grand, philanthropic scale, aiming to elevate mankind to participate in His Kingdom. Love originates from God, reflecting His Spirit in us. As we exhibit this love, we take on the nature of our Father. Those who reflect God's love show they are born of Him, while those who do not, regardless of their knowledge, do not truly know Him. God's love is evident in the world He has provided, in the patience He shows, and most convincingly, in sending His Son as a sacrifice for us, offering reconciliation and the chance to live by following His life. Even when we were ignorant and opposed to His way, He loved us and desired the best for us. We perceive God's love because He laid down His life for us, and in like manner, we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. If we love others, both within and outside the church, as God loves us, His love is perfected in us, and we grow in applying it toward others, moving toward perfection. Early Christians exemplified this love, risking their lives for one another during plagues, reflecting the criterion by which God selects those for His Kingdom—visiting the sick and imprisoned. Jesus declared that love for one another identifies His disciples, serving as a sign of belonging to God. In this manner, our love is made complete, allowing us to be bold before Him as we take on His nature. Perfect love casts out fear, and though we may face apprehensions in this world, we must work on perfecting our love, faith, and trust in God, knowing He will help us. We love Him because He first loved us, and this love is not ours but God's love in us. As the Father and the Son love, so must we strive to love our fellow man. If we harbor hatred toward others, we do not possess God's love. Our task as disciples of Jesus Christ is to become like Him, reflecting His patience, kindness, longsuffering, wisdom, courage, thoughtfulness, concern, and willingness to serve. In doing so, we manifest the true love of God. However, in the end times, as lawlessness abounds, the love of many will grow cold due to cruelty, persecutions, betrayals, and false teachings. We must guard against losing the zeal of our first love amidst such pressures and rekindle the flame of excitement to apply what we know. The greatest commandment is to love the Lord with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength, submitting all our faculties to His will and devoting ourselves to glorifying Him. The first four commandments demonstrate direct love toward God, ensuring no idols take precedence, honoring His name in all we do, and keeping the Sabbath as holy time to refresh spiritually and encourage one another. The second great commandment is to love our neighbor as ourselves, extending to anyone near us—family, friends, countrymen, even enemies. We show this love by not injuring them physically or in reputation, seeking their good, and being tender and kind, even without condoning sin. Attaining God's nature and love requires keeping His commandments through active faith, trust, and obedience, drawing close to Him in pr